Description

The Northern Vietnam Trekking 8 days tour starts from Hanoi, taking you to such provinces o north Vietnam as Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Dien Bien. Enjoy visiting magnificent, marvelous landscapes as well as wild nature of the far north region of Vietnam highlighted with the beauty of Tay Con Linh and Hoang Lien Son mountain ranges, the two highest ones in Vietnam. Trekking through the untouched region, meeting different tribal peoples in remote and isolated villages for a unique discovery of local cultures, customs and way of life.

Map

Itinerary

DAY 1: HANOI -> VIET QUANG

Full day transfer from Hanoi to Viet Quang town let, Ha Giang Province along national road 2 via Phuc Yen, Viet Tri, Tuyen Quang with several breaks along the way for resting and sightseeing. Lunch at a popular restaurant in Tuyen Quang and arrive in Viet Quang in mid afternoon. The rest hours is set free to relax and have preparation for 3 days trekking afterwards.

DAY 2: VIET QUANG -> CAO BANH

Leave Viet Quang at 08.00 for a road ride for 1,5 hour along national road 2 to Vi Xuyen Town Let(35 km) and then turn left to a narrow paved road 15 km and arrive at Vang Luong Village(Thuong Son Commune) at 09.30. This 15 km portion of the road trip offers stunning landscapes. The trek begins from here(338m) for about 6 hours along a stream which runs between 2 high mountain ranges, through Thuong Son Commune uphill to Cao Banh village of the Zao ao dai , passing several small villages of the Tay peoples on lower land and of the Zao peoples on the steep hillsides. Arriving to home stay at Cao Banh(at 833m) in late afternoon, settle down at home stay, freshen up and relax.

DAY 3: CAO BANH -> HOP NHAT

Breakfast and leave Cao Banh Village at 08.30. The trail winds its way uphill for about 4 hours via several small villages of the Zao peoples in Dan Khao commune to the top of the pass(Heaven Gate) at the height of 1,216m. As the trails gets to higher elevation, the stunning view of the region opens wider and the population gets thinner. The clients will enjoy magnificent landscapes of the terraced fields below the trails and thick forest covering the higher land and mountains. Long lunch break at the Heaven Gate and from here great view of the two side of the Tay Con Linh opens as wide as one’s sight. The trail downhill is about 6 km and little bit steep and narrow for the first 2 km and then getting easier as the trails comes down to the lower land, passing a small hamlet of the Co Lao ethnic peoples before arriving to Hop Nhat Village(879m) of Tung San Commune. Walking around this village of the Zao peoples which sits on a earthen hill and over looking down a stunning valley.

DAY 4: HOP NHAT -> HOANG SU PHI -> XIN MAN -> BAC HA

Leaving Hop Nhat Village at 08.30 and follow a narrow trails along a magnificent valley downhill for about 2 hours through Hop Nhat village to Che village of the Nung and Zao people located at 804m on steep mountain side, over looking down the Tung San valley. Explore this small and isolated village before continue trekking for 1,5 hour long the same trail to Tan Tien Bridge(435m) which is 5 km east of Hoang Su Phi Town let, picked up transfer to Hoang Su Phi Town Let for Lunch. Leaving Hoang Su Phi for a road trip for the whole afternoon to Bac Ha via Xin Man Town Let including some stops and short walk for visiting several small hamlets of the Flower Hmong along the way. Arrive in Bac Ha Town let before it gets dark, check in Sao Mai hotel and relax

DAY 5: BAC HA -> LAO CAI -> SAPA

Breakfast and leaving Bac Ha for a road ride downhill to Lao Cai(72 km) with stops along the way to visit a small hamlet of the Phu La ethnic people, taking a short walk uphill to see tea plantation near Phong Hai. Enjoy a coffee break at Lao Cai City before driving uphill for an hour to Sapa. Arriving in Sapa at noon, lunch break in a restaurant and then spend half an hour walking around this charming town. Leaving Sapa town at 13.30 and drive southwards for 12 km to Ta Van village. Enjoy a 2 hours walk along Muong Hoa river from Ta Van to Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Zao through terraced rice paddies and bamboo forest. Pay visiting local homes at Giang Ta Chai, then cross Muong Hoa river, trekking uphill to Hoa Su Pan village of the Hmong. Pick up and transfer for half an hour to Topas ecolodge, check in and relax.

DAY 6: SAPA -> BINH LU -> LAI CHAU

Breakfast and check out Topas Ecolodge at 08.00. Picked up and transfer 32 km via to Sapa and Tram Ton Pass. Enjoy a short break at the Silver Waterfall for a miring this nature wonder and then 20 minutes at Tram Ton Pass(Heaven Gate) for stunning scenery of Fasipan Mount and Sapa Valley as well as great view of the west side of Hoang Lien range. Continue driving 27 km downhill to Chu Va village of the Red Hmong. Walk for an hour to visit this village which beautifully sits near the food of the pass by the side of a river before continue 8 km to Binh Lu Town let, lunch break here. After lunch, take a short drive 2 km through the lush Binh Lu Valley to Pa Pe village of the Lu ethnic peoples who where beautiful traditional costumes and still dye their teeth black. Walk for half an hour to visit this village before continue the road trip to Lai Chau Town(Old Tam Duong). Arriving in Tam Duong at about 16.00, check in hotel. The rest of the afternoon is for exploring villages, enjoying a peaceful walk to see tea farm in the suburb of Lai Chau.

DAY 7: LAI CHAU -> SIN HO -> MUONG LAY -> DIEN BIEN PHU

Leaving Lai Chau at 08.00 for a drive through the beautiful region along the back road for nearly 3 hours to Muong Lay(Old Lai Chau Town) via Sin Ho district. The road trip offers stunning landscapes of large valley, fabulous forest and the group will take some short stops along the way to pay visit to villages of the Red H’mong and Thai peoples before arriving to Muong Lay town let. Spend half an hour walking around Muong Lay valley before having lunch. Arriving in Dien Bien Phu at about 15.00 and spend the rest hours in the afternoon for historical sightseeing around Dien Bien Phu former battle fields famous for the last campaign of the Viet Minh( Vietnamese communist forces) against the French colonial army. The sights for visiting include the A1 hill, Dien Bien Phu Museum, the head quarter of the French army and the beautiful Muong Thanh valley. Check in hotel and at 17.30 and free to explore Dien Bien Phu city in the evening.

DAY 8: DIEN BIEN PHU -> HANOI (OR LAOS)

Breakfast, check out hotel and transfer 42 km to Tay Trang border gate for the next portion of the trip for Laos.

Additional Information

1 review for Off The Beaten Track Northern Vietnam Trekking 8 Days

Rated 5 out of 5

Deborah –May 17, 2016

The guide Tan was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable of the area and looked after us very well It was a trip of a lifetime. The organisation was fantastic & never believed we could be looked after so well. This will be my first of many Lotussia trips.

If you are the type of person who dreams of doing exciting things but never quite does, an adventure holiday could be just the thing for you. Lotussia Travel trips are tailored to suit and come with lots of information. You are never quite on your own but you still have the freedom to do new things, such as cycle somewhere new, walk a new route or visit new and exciting places.